BOOKS
A Teaching Instrument Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology. Vol. I. A to Amino Acids. HERMAN F. MARK (Brooklyn Poly), N. G. GAYLORD and NORBERT M. BIKALES (Gaylord As-
sociates, Inc.), editors, xviii + 893 pages. Interscience Publishers, Inc., 605 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016. 1964. $40 subscription; $50 single copy. Reviewed by Dr. Robert Sim ha. Dr. Simha is professor of chemistry at University of Southern California. Besides being a source of information, this work is to serve as "an instrument of teaching," apparently in respect to matters both practical and theoretical. The nature of the information is divided into five major groups, viz., Chemical Substances, Polymer Properties, Methods and Processes, Uses, and General Background, the last to deal with such matters as nomenclature and literature of polymers and classification. There must, of course, be overlaps and a convenient cross-referencing system is used. Most of the 56 authors of the 31 articles reside, not surprisingly, in the U.S. and in industrial laboratories, but there are five European authors, mostly from universities; government institutions are also represented. The only way to review a treatise such as this is to select a spectrum of items about which one either has or wishes to obtain some knowledge. Socalled "theoretical" subjects such as solution properties, viscoelasticity, freeradical polymerization, or degradation cannot be evaluated but the present volume treats adsorption, thermodynamics of wetting and spreading, theory of adhesive joints, polymerization (of acrylonitrile), electrolyte properties (of acrylic acid polymers), and conformation (of myoglobin). By now standard thermodynamic treatments are included, for example, but otherwise the discussion remains on a qualitative level or equations are simply stated (with references). Discussion of descriptive material is aided throughout by summarizing tables and graphs. It includes reviews of properties and reactions of the monomers. On the side of technology, one finds under abrasion resistance 70
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summaries of observations on the effects of polymeric structure and abrasive properties of rubbers, plastics, and fibers together with a detailed description of test methods. There is also, for example, a glossary of terms pertinent to adhesion technology, as developed by the ASTM, and extensive depictions of lap joints. Finally some economic statistics are given. Of specific comments, one might be mentioned: What is the meaning of T g in a "fully crystalline polymer" (of acrylonitrile)? It would appear that in respect to technology as well as descriptive chemistry, the encyclopedia can be used profitably and to a large extent by itself for both intended purposes mentioned at the beginning and by both the student and the more advanced reader. In respect to the theoretical chemistry and the physics of macromolecular systems, it may serve primarily as a source of references. This, however, will be better judged when subsequent volumes become available.
AEC-Sponsored Chemical Research "Off-Site Research in Chemistry" is the title of a report of an ad hoc panel of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, division of research. The survey was authorized to evaluate the division's chemistry research programs under contract with universities and other institutions. Some of the findings were: • Scientific quality of research performed is generally high, judging by extensive publication of results in journals requiring original work of high merit. • An important product of the programs is the creation of a continuing supply of chemists competent in areas of interest to AEC. • Mechanism for entering into research contracts is an effective one. •Contracts for research are awarded solely upon impartial judgment of merit of the proposed research; there is no undue concentration of contracts by geography or institution. The panel's report recommends that: Support of productive principal investigators on a year-by-year basis be
continued; acceptance of a much larger percentage of applications for new research funds, to ensure continuing development of the field; increasing support of nuclear, hightemperature, and structural and theoretical chemistry; AEC flexibility in altering emphasis in support of various areas as need arises; reviewing long contracts every four years with the help of external reviewers. The 21-page report (TID-21327) is available free from U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Division of Technical Information Extension, P.O. Box 62, Oak Ridge, Tenn. 37831.
BRIEFS Building Research is the title of a journal published by Building Research Institute, 1725 D e Sales St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. It began publication last year and is issued bimonthly. The periodical is said to be the basic journal in the field for the architect, engineer, consultant, specifications writer, contractor, building owner and operator, building financier, manufacturer, distributor, home-builder, supplier, realtor, and government or educational building scientist in the U.S. and abroad. Subscription is $35 to a nonmember of BRI, individual or organi. zation. For college, university, or public library, $20; business or technical library, $35; single copy, $7.50.
The Chemical Process Industry in Illinois is the title of a 19-page booklet issued by the Economic Development Committee of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce. Profusely illustrated with maps, the report is part of a comprehensive study of Illinois economy. Copies are available for 25 cents from Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, 20 North Wacker Dr., Chicago, 111. 60606.
NEW BOOKS Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen. Band 3. R. HEGNAUER. 743 pages. Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, Switzerland. 1964. sFr. 123. Conformational
Analysis.
ERNEST L.
ELIEL, NORMAN L. ALLINGER, STEPHEN J. ANGYAL, GEORGE A. MORRISON, xiii
+ 524 pages. Interscience Publishers, Inc., 605 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016. 1965. $15. Treats both quantitative and qualitative aspects of conformational analysis.
